Armed with three runners in Sunday’s Premier Bowl (1,200m), Francis Lui Kin-wai hopes the brilliance of Zac Purton will help Packing Hermod and barrier one will boost Divano as they bid for Group Two glory.

Purton hops back aboard Packing Hermod after his first-up fourth to My Wish in the Group Three Celebration Cup (1,400m) and will be out to add to his impeccable record on the consistent galloper.

The champion jockey has booted home Packing Hermod in four of his six career wins, with his only other ride on the son of Rubick a close third in last season’s Classic Mile.

Lui’s Premier Bowl claims were also boosted when Divano, a four-time course and distance winner, drew barrier one for his first Group Two assignment.

Divano ran an eye-catching third to Ka Ying Rising in last month’s Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m) before he had excuses when 14th in the Celebration Cup last start.

“I think Packing Hermod still has room to improve and we have the champion jockey on,” Lui said of Purton, who has won the Premier Bowl on Aerovelocity (2014), Lui’s Lucky Patch (2021) and Ka Ying Rising (2024).

“Divano ran well first up and was unlucky last time. I’m happy he has a good draw.”

Angus Chung Yik-lai will again ride Divano, while Keith Yeung Ming-lun has been booked to partner Lui’s other contender, Invincible Shield.

Despite racing eight points out of the handicap, Invincible Shield returns from an impressive first campaign in Hong Kong which was crowned by three consecutive wins at Sha Tin.

“He has a light weight [115lb] but it’s his first run of the season, so I’m not sure what to expect,” Lui said. “He’s been gelded and he’s trialled OK.”

Invincible Shield will have to overcome a tricky draw in barrier 13.

Another of Lui’s key Sha Tin runners who has drawn wide is the consistent Steps Ahead, who was dealt gate 11 for the Class Two Panasonic Cup (1,600m).

Steps Ahead comes off a close second to Healthy Happy over 1,400m last start but strikes a hot field, which includes Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) winner Massive Sovereign, Classic Cup (1,800m) victor Rubylot, Hong Lok Golf and Bundle Award.

“He’s got a chance, but they extended the race by another five points, so the field might be a bit strong for him,” Lui said.

Purton was aboard Steps Ahead last start but will ride the Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained Johannes Brahms on Sunday. Jerry Chau Chun-lok has picked up the ride on Steps Ahead.

Trainer David Eustace hopes Massive Sovereign will run a bold race under top weight of 135lb on his first start of the season.

“The horse looks great – he’s trialled up well,” Eustace said.

“Obviously the trip is short of his best and it’s a nice stepping stone to the Ladies’ Purse and beyond. But, as I say, he’s in good shape. He’s had three trials and I’m happy with him.”

Eustace is also excited about the return of Classic Series prospect Dazzling Fit in Sunday’s Class Three Panasonic Washer Dryer Handicap (1,400m).

“He’s quite a naturally athletic horse. I don’t think he requires too much work at the start of the season, with hopefully bigger targets in mind, so I just brought him along gently,” Eustace said of the two-time winner.

“I’m looking forward to stepping him up in trip. I think he could run a mile now, but there’s really no need to and he’s not a slow horse.

“I think he’ll stay well and hopefully his turn of foot will then be that little bit more potent.”